County hears update on Witham Fields airport business plan and stakeholder process

A county consultant and airport staff presented an update on the Witham Fields strategic business plan, which replaces an obsolete 2010 plan and will include peer benchmarking, financial review, marketing and an implementation program.

"This business plan update is initially updating the 2010 airport business plan, which is obsolete in today's business environment for the airport," the presenter said. He described four main elements: stakeholder engagement, analysis and assessment of financials and grants, business plan development and an implementation program to move the airport from present condition to target objectives. The update is funded by a roughly $250,000 effort with 20% ($50,000) coming from the airport enterprise fund and the balance from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Commissioners asked about outreach to flying schools and local aviation businesses to increase revenue; staff said stakeholder engagement and follow-up workshops will gather input and that the Commission will have additional opportunities to offer comments.

A motion was made to accept the presentation as presented; commissioners voted to hear and accept the presentation.

Clarifying details from the presentation: the update will evaluate the airport's grant revenues, self-sufficiency and potential operational changes; the work includes stakeholder workshops and a public kickoff; peer benchmarking will compare the airport to regional peers; and staff will return with additional workshop sessions and draft business-plan products for board review.